Newport Wafer Fab Debate
Full Debate: Read Full DebateDepartment: Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
Stephen Crabb
Main Page: Stephen Crabb (Conservative - Preseli Pembrokeshire)Department Debates - View all Stephen Crabb's debates with the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
(2 years ago)
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Grant Shapps
First, because of the process there is not quite as much freedom as the hon. Lady sets out for the Secretary of State to judge a quasi-judicial case such as this in the way she describes. I agree with her and sympathise with everybody who will be concerned about their jobs. I happen to think that their future remains bright. On the requirement for those skilled jobs, demand is very high and, through this process, as Nexperia comes back with its plan, we will be looking for a plan that helps to protect those jobs.
Stephen Crabb (Preseli Pembrokeshire) (Con)
I commend my right hon. Friend for the careful way he has approached this sensitive issue. I know he is acutely aware of the importance of those skilled jobs for south Wales. Will he reassure the House that he will move as quickly as he is able to under the strictures of the legislation to remove the cloud of uncertainty that is hanging over the workforce, and demonstrate that he understands that one part of Britain can precious ill-afford to lose these types of high-quality jobs, and that is south Wales?
Grant Shapps
I pay tribute to my right hon. Friend, who is on the Welsh Affairs Committee as well, I think—[Hon. Members: “He’s the Chair.”] With correction. Either way, he knows a lot about this subject and is therefore an expert in it. On the timetable that he asks about, it is somewhat prescribed in the final order. I cannot go into excessive detail about it. There is a balance between trying to move too quickly and therefore putting the business and jobs at risk, and moving at the appropriate pace, which I hope will see a successful outcome. I reassure my right hon. Friend, and the whole House, that I will be working closely on this issue to ensure that we bring certainty as soon as we can, without jeopardising what needs to happen next.